In an effort to create a reasonable payment structure, these additional expenses are covered by anAdvance Provisioning Allowance (APA) which is often equal to approximately 25-30% of the base charter fee.

Refer to “What is an Advance Provisioning Allowance?” for more information.

Charter duration is customarily a week (Saturday to Saturday), however you may charter for a shorter or longer period upon request. This type of request may be accommodated depending on availability.Charter durations are generally more firm during peak season in the Mediterranean. The Caribbean tends to be more flexible.

Tipping, although completely voluntary, is customary especially if you have experienced a good level of customer service throughout your charter. We recommend tipping 5%-15% of the total charter cost before you leave the yacht on the final day of your charter. If there are multiple crew members, you may provide the tip to the captain and he will allocate it amongst the members.

A bareboat charter is the rental of a yacht without a skipper or any other crew members. You must skipper and navigate it yourself. Depending on the country you are chartering in, this may require a license/certification or some type of previous boating experience.

A crewed charter comes equipped with a crew that will include a skipper as well as additional crew members such as cooks and stewards. They will navigate the boat, cook, clean and provide services as needed.

As an agent, we receive commission from owner operators for finding clients as well as taking care of paperwork and payments. We provide prices that are the same or lower than prices offered to the public. Normally owner operators will not negotiate pricing for individuals, therefore the prices we provide are the best prices you will find.

Firstly, all charter companies must adhere to local maritime laws and regulations which provides a major source of protection as these rules are generally quite strict. In addition to these laws, we only work with proven operators with a successful track record. Prior to working with an operator, they aret horoughly researched and must agree to meet our high standards of cleanliness and excellent customer service and satisfaction. Newer boats tend to be in better condition, so let us know if you prefer a more recent model. Additionally, our brokers attend numerous charter shows to personally inspect the boats and crew so that they can provide you with the feedback you need. We also ask clients to review yachts so that you have even more insight prior to choosing!

Although we try to provide an exhaustive list of costs on our site, some costs can vary depending on your itinerary and desires. Contingent on yacht type, we have composed a general guideline to estimate the costs of a charter:

Sailboats: Base charter costs consist of the rental cost, a full tank of gas and water, maps, and a dingy or tender. There is sometimes an optional charge for linens but almost always a mandatory final cleaning fee that ranges from €50 to €150 depending on the size of boat. Major costs include provisioning (meals on board) and mooring fees. We can provide estimates for both fees depending on your itinerary and desires.

Motorboats: The major costs associated with motorboats will be fuel and mooring fees, in addition to any provisioning fees based on your request. We aim to always list the fuel consumption per hour so that you can have a rough idea. We’re also happy to provide estimates upon request. Typically, charters will run about 3 hours per day. These costs can be paid via cash to the skipper or via the Advance Provisioning Allowance system.

Once a vessel carries more than 12 passengers, it is considered by the International Marine regulation,to be a passenger ship. This means it must comply with the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention set by the International Maritime Organization, which is an extensive list of safety restrictions that can be costly to implement. These costs are reflected in the charter cost, so naturally for economical reasons,many yacht charter owners set the person limit to 12.

An APA is essentially a “bank account” with a pre-determined balance that your captain will use on yacht charter expenditures, such as fuel, food, drinks and port fees. The balance is determined by the type of boat – generally for sailing yachts, the APA will be 20%-25% of total charter cost, and for motor yachts, the APA will be about 30%-35% of total charter payment. The captain must keep all receipts and balance the account – for which you can check the balance at any time during the charter.

At the end of your charter, the captain will provide full “bank account details” and any amount unused will be refunded. The APA does not include any markups. It is a no-hassle, efficient way to pay for extra fees excluded from your base charter cost.

We accept bank transfers, and all major credit cards. Prior to payment we will provide you with a contract that protects both parties, as well as an invoice indicating all costs in detail. The contracts that we use are based on international standards set by the MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers’Association). The invoice price will be in USD, however, we can accept payment in your preferred currency. In this case, we add a 3-5% “buy price” on top of the spot rate that we are charged for the cost of exchange. (Note that even the largest banks in the world must pay above spot price when exchanging currencies).

50% of the charter cost is due upon order as a deposit. The remaining 50% must be paid 90 days prior to departure. For charters less than 90 days to departure, the full charter cost must be paid upon booking.

If you cancel 60 days prior to departure, 20% of the total charter price will be deducted from your deposit. If you cancel 59-15 days prior, 40% of the total charter price will be deducted from your deposit. For cancellations 15 days or less in advance of the departure date, 100% of the total tour price is deducted. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances decided on a case-by-case basis).

There are many variables involved when it comes to the type of yacht you should charter for your floating vacation. Where exactly would you like to travel? Are you a fan of the finer things, or can you make do with the basics? Are you prone to motion sickness? How many people will you be bringing with you on your adventure? What amenities do you want? What’s your budget? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself in order to find the right fit. We know it can get complicated, so we’ve broken down the yacht types below, along with some key notes on the type of experience you can expect with each.

Mega Yachts are the definition of luxury. Enormous in size and vast in their range of facility offerings, they are simply exceptional in nature. They are a perfect fit if you’ve got a large party involved, and if you crave attractions that normally just would not fit on a standard yacht, like an infinity pool, disco, helipad, spa and gym. Most mega yachts can accommodate up to 100 guests and are stable on the water for those prone to sea sickness.

A super yacht is a smaller version of a mega yacht. They maintain a high level of luxury, but may omit some of the larger entertainment hubs such as a gym or a disco. Naturally, they also accommodate a smaller number of guests.

Performance yachts are perfect for those who want to discover more in a shorter amount of time. They are built to combine luxury and speed, so you still feel just as fancy (watch the hair in the wind, though).

Classics – these are for the true sailors at heart. They may not have the same luxuries as motor yachts, but they’ve got the romance of a real sailing experience to make up for it. Caution to those with a history of motion sickness – classic sailing yachts can be a wavy ride.

Catamarans are a wonderful all around yacht. They can have the same spacious and luxurious interiors as large motor yachts, but due to their build shape, they are able to access remote coves and areas that the others cannot. If you’re a little on the adventurous side – a catamaran is a great fit for you.

A unique and awe-inspiring destination, Croatia will have you dreaming of your return trip by the end of your vacation.

Dubrovnik, often called “the Pearl of the Adriatic Sea”, is a breathtaking marvel of historical art and architecture. It’s hard not to fall in love while walking along its marble streets laden with baroque buildings on the glistening backdrop of a deep blue sea. Explore its abundance of Museums and ancient sights you won’t find anywhere else.

Hike and paraglide on the gorgeous Biokovo mountain range of Makarska, one of Croatia’s popular port towns. Bask in the exuberant nightlife of the towns of Hvar or Split, beautifully ornamented with both ancient treasures and modern splendours alike. Then relax and rewind in the iridescent turquoise waters of Croatia’s many islands.

No matter what you’re looking for, Croatia is guaranteed to satisfy.

Greece

A mythical wonderland of sea and sun bleached ruins beckoning all those who crave adventure – the Greek islands are among the loveliest places in the world to charter a yacht. Experience true island life; dive into the Aegean sea, immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of Santorini or the buzzing nightlife of Mykonos, unwind in the abundance of private coves. The reality of the world evaporates as you bask in each moment of the island life.

For those who crave outdoor adventures, Greece is the perfect destination to try new quests. Kayak with dolphins, swim with sea turtles, hike up volcano trails and mountain bike through lush forests. Greece is also one of the top destinations in the world to cliff dive, mountain climb and kitesurf!

Don’t forget to experience the traditional prized cuisines of the Greek culture – the freshest fish you’ll ever have paired with the basics of lemon, olive oil and garlic. Grilled peppers with rice and cheese or roasted leg of lamb with fresh lemon and herbs. You won’t ever go hungry in Greece.

Turkey

The famous Halikarnassus (modern day Bodrum) fisherman once said, “Do not think that you will leave this town the same way you came”. Many a traveller’s heart is left in this elegant seaside city. Its picturesque Aegean character has been well preserved from the Cretan period influence since the 1920s as the surrounding deep blue sea is complemented with hills of low white buildings adorned with bougainvillea. It is a sight to see. Even at its busiest times, you will find serenity in the heart of Bodrum.

Cruising around Southern Turkey, you can relax in the calm, crystal clear blue water of the Aegean sea and experience the rich history and welcoming nature of the Turkish locals. Explore the prosperous harbour of Fethiye, once the ancient city of Telmessos, that is surrounded by beautiful islands. At the nearby famous Ölüdeniz, or “Dead Sea”, you can paraglide off of a mountain or explore the peacefulness of nature on the Lycian Way walking trail.

Take a tour of Dalyan beach, home of endangered sea turtles and the famous Kings’ tombs of ancient Kaunos. Swim in the freshwater of the expansive river on one side of the Dalyan beach strip, then dive into the waves of the Aegean sea on the other. The opportunities for fun and frolicking are endless in the Southern coast of Turkey, but the relaxing atmosphere remains a constant.